2018 news archive

Old Windsor Christmas Fair

09 Dec 2018

A full band and a full programme

A 20-strong band turned out at Old Windsor on 9th December to provide Christmas music for the local Christmas Fair in St Luke's Road. The public were treated to a full programme of Christmas pieces, including Sleigh Ride, Troika and Santclaustrophobia, with traditional carols between the longer arrangements .

Hurst St Nicholas Night

02 Dec 2018

Carols for the tree-lighting ceremony

A dozen-strong band gathered on Hurst playing fields on 2nd December to accompany the choir and crowds in carol-singing before the lighting up of the village Christmas tree at 5.30.

Remembrance Sunday

11 Nov 2018

Band plays for ceremonies in Waltham, Bray and Holyport

In keeping with long-standing tradition, WSL band attended Remembrance Day ceremonies in Waltham St. Lawrence, Bray and Holyport on the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, providing music for the processions and hymns and the Last Post and Reveille bugle calls before and after the two-minute silence.

For the first time for several years, the band marched at the head of the Waltham procession, having regained the capability for this thanks to the recent recruitment of a number of younger and fitter players. Starting, stopping and other aspects of deportment were not at all bad, thanks to a special practice session under an experienced sergeant-major the preceding Wednesday.

The band are grateful to the local community and British Legion, both for the opportunity to contribute to the ceremonies, and for the beer and sandwiches at the George in Holyport afterwards.

Autumn Concert

27 Oct 2018

War and Peace at Waingels College

Waltham Band’s autumn concert, titled ‘War and Peace’ and loosely tied to the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, was staged at Waingels College on 27th October, with a supporting programme by singers of the Wokingham Choral Academy. This was the band’s second concert under the baton of Steve Block, and was performed before a fair-sized audience who were happy to sing along to a number of the pieces based on popular songs, using the supplied song-sheet.View full report.

Harvest Festival

07 Oct 2018

WSL Parish Church

The band made a good showing at the Waltham St. Lawrence parish church's harvest festival service on 7th October. As well as accompaniment for the hymns, it played Light As Air as the congregation settled in, and the march Barnard Castle after the service.

White Waltham

08 Sep 2018

A solid hour of good music

A good-sized band turned out on Saturday 8th September for the West London Aero Club's members' day at White Waltham aerodrome.

Playing under canvas near the entrance to the show, the band played a packed hour's programme of music both for those enjoying tea on the lawn and for quite a few who stood nearby to listen. Pieces emphasized the "air" theme, including Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and Aces High, and the concert concluded with The Dambusters and the RAF Marchpast.

The band was ably led by deputy conductor Coleen Pullen, and a good time was had by all.

Littlewick Show

27 Aug 2018

At last we get to wear our jackets

For the first time this summer, it was jackets on throughout at the Littlewick Show, held at Bottle Meadow near Knowl Hill. Though cloudy, with a stiff breeze to test players' page-turning skills, it was reasonably warm, and there was no threat of rain, even when the band played The Rains of Castamere (Game of Thrones theme), Alan Fernie's Brass for Africa piece Rain and Singin' in the Rain one after the other.

Though the stalls and crowds were somewhat sparse compared with some previous years, there were still plenty of people about, and a good number chose to use the chairs provided to form an appreciative audience.

Cake!

01 Aug 2018

What better way to spend your birthday?

The band were delighted to help Steve Saunders demolish his 70th anniversary birthday cake in the tea break at rehearsal on 1st August. Steve has been a stalwart bandsman for many decades, including service as band secretary, playing cornet, bass or baritone as needed, and we hope he'll be with us for many years to come.

A couple of weeks later, the band were treated to brownies by cornet player Frances Wiseman, our latest recruit and most junior member, on her birthday.

Cookham Riverside

08 Jul 2018

Playing under a tree

The band once more played for residents of Cookham Riverside nursing home and their guests at their annual garden party on Sunday 8th July. The blazing hot weather continued, and the band were grateful for the cooler environment of a lime tree at the edge of the lawns. Taking the baton was deputy conductor Coleen Pullen, as the musical director was still away on holiday.

Birthday BBQ

30 Jun 2018

Belated celebration

A full band turned out at the barbecue for the 70th birthday of former band secretary Chris Bennett on 30th June. It was a lot warmer than it would have been on the actual date, in December!

WSL Parish Fete

16 Jun 2018

Hold on to your hat

A somewhat overcast day and some strong gusts of wind meant it was a good thing the band's event shelter was well pegged down at the Waltham St. Lawrence parish fete at Shurlock Row cricket ground on Saturday 16th June. The band set up in front of the pavilion, and played two sets starting from the opening of the show at 1.00 p.m. There was a good turnout, and the full programme of music was well received by a small but enthusiastic audience.

High Tea

09 Jun 2018

Annual treat for pensioners

Buddy Holly and Vera Lynn joined Gene Kelly and picknicking teddy bears for high tea at the Neville Hall, Waltham St. Lawrence, on Saturday 9th June at the Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band’s annual party for pensioners of the village.

John Lawes, a former musical director of the band, stood in as conductor for the day, presenting a programme that included a medley of Buddy Holly hits, The Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Singin’ in the Rain.

The band showed off its varied talents with solo Can’t Take my Eyes Off You, played by trombonist Ben Bingham, and an arrangement of the Bee Gees’ How Deep is Your Love, composed by regular conductor Steve Block. Meanwhile the audience were plied with sandwiches, cakes, tea and stronger drinks by a dedicated team of helpers.

The band’s set rounded off with Keep Smiling Through, a selection of Vera Lynn songs, ending appropriately enough with We’ll Meet Again. Then it was time for the band to sit for its own sandwiches while the entertainment continued with an hour of songs from Lea Lyle and her combo on keyboard, bass and drum.

The band has been staging this event, funded by collections from Christmas carolling, for over 50 years. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all concerned, and we look forward to keeping up the tradition in future.

Woodley Precinct

12 May 2018

Lunchtime bandstand

The summer season's first outdoor engagement was in Woodley town centre on Saturday 12th May, playing over lunchtime to entertain the shoppers. The weather was fair, and though the centre was not very busy, quite a few people stopped to listen, and some even to dance a little to Singin' in the Rain and a medley of Buddy Holley hits.

Spring Concert

05 May 2018

An excellent performance

Waltham Band made a great start to the 2018 playing season with a Spring Concert at Loddon Hall, Twyford, on 5th May. Together with special guests The Barbarettes, the popular local ladies’ barber-shop ensemble, an audience of over 100 was treated to a wide range of light and lively music. Weeks of intensive rehearsal under the band’s new musical director Steve Block paid off, and the quality of playing was noted by quite a few people.

Band pieces included the Madness hit Baggy Trousers, Singin’ in the Rain and themes from Pirates of the Caribbean. Two pieces, a theme from Game of Thrones and the Bee Gees’ How Deep is Your Love, were arrangements written by members of the band. With the help of lyrics sheets given out on arrival, the audience were invited to join in with a selection of Buddy Holly songs and Teddy Bears’ Picnic, for which a variety of teddy bears emerged on stage. Some younger members of the audience were observed joining in with “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” when There’s a Tavern in the Town came up in Gordon Langford’s West Country Fantasy.

The Barbarettes sang a set in each half, starting off with Aquarius (not in the original costume). Other numbers included Andrews Sisters hits and a medley of Beatles songs.

The audience made it quite clear that they enjoyed the whole programme, and regular supporters of the band said this was the best they’d ever heard it play. And the band themselves agree!

The new year is under way

07 Feb 2018

A promising start to 2018

The new year began for the band with rehearsal on 3rd January under our new conductor, Steve Block. This and subsequent rehearsals have been enjoyed by all; Steve’s combination of energy, enthusiasm and attention to detail goes down well with the band. It is hoped to organize a “bright and breezy” local concert in late spring, and new arrivals in the practice pad include Bohemian Rhapsody, Light Cavalry and Baggy Trousers, as well as Nimrod (not quite so bouncy).

The shortage of cornet players continues, and we were very sad to learn that our band secretary and baritone player Chris Bennett has had to retire due to illness.